Sandy Hook in Middletown Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Guns of Sandy Hook
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
1. The Guns of Sandy Hook Marker
The guns and missiles are silent now, most of them gone to scrap metal. But from colonial times until 1974, a series of defenses stood on Sandy Hook to guard New York Harbor. Here, for almost fifty years, the Army tested all its guns. And for eighty years Fort Hancock was the home of a full military community – with chapel, theater, jail and school.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1974.
Location. 40° 27.364′ N, 74° 0.245′ W. Marker is in Middletown Township, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. It is in Sandy Hook. Marker is on Hartshorne Drive, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at the entrance to Fort Hancock in the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Highlands NJ 07732, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Guardian Park Picnic Area (a few steps from this marker); Nike-Ajax (within shouting distance of this marker); Nike-Hercules (within shouting distance of this marker); Nike Ajax Explosion Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Sandy Hook (within shouting distance of this
this page online
More about this marker. The upper left of the marker contains a map of the upper Sandy Hook peninsula, showing “Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground Historic District.” Elsewhere on the marker are illustrations of types of guns that were placed here at various times in history, from 1776 to 1959.
Also see . . . Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on September 13, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
2. Marker at Sandy Hook
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
3. Fort Hancock Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
4. Nike Missiles
Nike Missiles, like those posted at Fort Hancock during the Cold War, are on display near the marker. Pictured here are a Nike Ajax Missile (left) and a Nike Hercules Missile.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
5. Rodman Gun
This 20-inch gun, developed during the Civil War, was the largest muzzle-loading gun ever made. This piece is displayed about ½ mile north of the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
6. Battery Granger
This battery, located northeast of the marker, contained 10-inch rifles on "disappearing gun carriages" that could hit a battleship 8 miles out at sea.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
7. Buildings of Fort Hancock
Many of the buildings that made up Fort Hancock are still standing.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
8. Fort Hancock Historic District
The marker is located at the entrance to Fort Hancock Historic District on Sandy Point. It can be seen at the upper right of the photo, behind the sign.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,244 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 22, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
